Sarus cranes typically live most of their lives as a male-female duo, singing tightly coordinated duets. At a glance, the male and female, both standing 1.5-1.8 meters (5-6 feet) tall, are difficult to tell apart visually. They’re both gray-bodied with red necks and head. But researchers have found a way of distinguishing between the sexes […]
  • A new study has discovered a novel social unit among sarus cranes, where these formerly monogamous birds now form trios to raise their chicks.
  • Study authors note that these breeding trios were most observed in more degraded habitats.
  • The highly territorial cranes may be forced to change their mating behaviours to increase offspring’s chances of survival as habitat loss in India is on the rise.

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